Sabine Devieilhe - The Tales Of Hoffmann: Olympia Aria - Offenbach <AUTHENTIC • Secrets>
: Reviewers note her "crystalline, exact" coloratura, which creates an uncanny illusion of a machine.
Sabine Devieilhe ’s interpretation of the "Doll Aria" ( Les oiseaux dans la charmille ) from Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann is widely regarded as a masterclass in combining . : Reviewers note her "crystalline, exact" coloratura, which
: Devieilhe has noted that while the role must sound light and funny, it requires extreme vocal control to maintain that "fresh" sound while acting like a rigid puppet. Aria Context & Trivia Aria Context & Trivia : She is celebrated
: She is celebrated for her ease with the aria's high E's and F's, often adding her own stratospheric embellishments and top notes. The aria is famous for its "running down"
: Titled "The Birds in the Bower," the song is an ironic, sweet melody about nature and love, performed by a soulless automaton.
In this role, Devieilhe portrays Olympia, a mechanical wind-up doll created by the inventor Spalanzani. The aria is famous for its "running down" gimmick, where the singer physically and vocally falters until someone manually rewinds her gears to continue.
